Crime plummeted statewide for the 11th consecutive year in 2004, particularly in violent categories such as murder, rape and robbery, officials said.

Overall crime from Buffalo to Brooklyn fell 3.6 percent across the state, outpacing a national drop.

Violent crime, defined as murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault, had an even greater decline – 5.9 percent – more than triple the reduction in similar crimes across the nation.

“These numbers show that crime in New York dropped in every category in 2004, making our state an even safer place for New York’s family,” Gov. Pataki said.

“Once again, New York’s tough, yet smart, criminal-justice policies have made New York a safer place to live, work and visit.”

The statistical analysis went back to 1994, the year Pataki was first elected governor. According to the numbers, crime has declined 47 percent across the state since then, with 400,000 fewer crimes committed last year than in 1994.

Although Pataki gave no credit to officials in New York City, its five boroughs are where significant crime reductions were made, according to the study. The city is home to nearly half of the state’s reported crime.

According to the state figures, city crime dropped 4 percent in 2004. More recent figures released by the NYPD last week showed an overall crime reduction of 6 percent over the first five months of this year.

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said murders are down 16 percent so far this year.

Property crimes across the state also fell, by an overall 3.1 percent, including a 10 percent reduction in car thefts.